Run of outs set to end for Lachie Manzelmann

By Glenn Davis

All trainers go through a run of outs during their careers and Mackay’s Lachie Manzelmann is no different.

But Manzelmann, who turns 26 in October, is hopeful his dry spell will end when he takes a team of six horses to Townsville on Friday.

Manzelmann is the son of Queensland’s champion country trainer John Manzelmann and like his father started off in harness racing before taking out his thoroughbred licence in 2022.

“My first starter was Lets Torque A Deel at the Sunshine Coast on Boxing Day in 2022 and he was my first winner on New Year’s Eve at Beaudesert that year,” Manzelmann said.

Manzelmann has gone 32 starts since his last win with Outback Action at Home Hill on June 28.

Ironically, Outback Action is one of six runners, Manzelmann will send to Townsville on Friday where he hopes to end his losing streak.

Outback Action and stablemate King Jester will clash in the Open Handicap over 1000 metres but he rates Miss Comaneci in the Maiden Handicap over 1609 metres as his best hope of returning to the winner’s list.

“For some reason I haven’t been able to win a race for a while. I keep getting a lot of placings,” Manzelmann said.

“Hopefully, it’ll change this week.

“When I first started off, I had 14 horses in work which was too many so I culled a few and I’ve now got nine in work.”

Miss Comaneci is a half-sister to Outback Action and was placed twice before a last start fourth in a 1300-metre maiden at Mackay on September 4.

“I rate her as my best hope of finally getting a winner,” Manzelmann said.

“She’s placed a few times and stepping up past a mile for the first time will suit her more.

“In the Open, I think King Jester might have the edge over Outback Action as dropping back to 1000 metres will be perfect for him.

“I thought Outback Action would win last start but he pulled up sore and didn’t run up to our expectations.

“I found he had a few niggling problems, so I’ve freshened him up and he’s in fine style now and should run well.”

Outback Action finished eighth at his last appearance in a 1460-metre Open at Home Hill on August 26 while King Jester is coming off a close second in an 1100-metre Open at Mackay on September 4.